Analysis of Article 28I Paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution on the Protection of Minority Rights and the Principle of Non-Discrimination in the Indonesian Legal System

Authors

  • Yana Priyana Eastasouth Institute
  • Sopian Universitas Islam Batang Hari

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58812/wslhr.v3i03.2061

Keywords:

Minority Rights, Non-Discrimination, Article 28I, Indonesian Constitution, Human Rights Law

Abstract

This paper examines Article 28I Paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia from a normative juridical perspective, focusing on its role in protecting minority rights and upholding the principle of non-discrimination. As a constitutional provision, Article 28I (4) mandates the state—particularly the government—to ensure the protection, promotion, enforcement, and fulfillment of human rights. The study analyzes how this mandate is reflected in national laws, judicial decisions, and administrative practices, while also assessing Indonesia’s compliance with international human rights obligations. The findings reveal that despite strong constitutional commitments, the implementation remains inconsistent due to inadequate enforcement, the absence of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, and the persistence of discriminatory local regulations. The study recommends legal harmonization, institutional strengthening, and the enactment of specific anti-discrimination legislation to ensure equal rights for all citizens, especially minorities. This research contributes to the development of a more inclusive and just legal framework in Indonesia.

References

[1] T. N. Andiani, F. X. H. B. Laksito, and J. G. Santos, “Evidence from Indonesia on the legal policy confronting discrimination of minority groups based on race and ethnicity,” Wacana Huk., vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 146–162, 2023.

[2] A. Hariyanto and A. Budianto, “Protection of Indigenous People Law Based on the 1945 Constitution,” 2021, ICSSEE.

[3] D. Muhtada, “State and the Protection of the Minority Rights in Indonesia: The Case of the Ahmadi Group,” in 1st International Conference on Indonesian Legal Studies (ICILS 2018), Atlantis Press, 2018, pp. 8–11.

[4] R. R. M. Manitra and A. P. Prabandari, “INDONESIAN CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY,” Diponegoro Law Rev., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 332–352, 2024.

[5] S. Butt, “Constitutional recognition of ‘Beliefs’ in Indonesia,” J. Law Relig., vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 450–473, 2020.

[6] A. Fenton, “Faith, intolerance, violence and bigotry: Legal and constitutional issues of freedom of religion in Indonesia,” J. Indones. Islam, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 181–212, 2016.

[7] V. H. Situmorang, “Kebebasan Beragama Sebagai Bagian Dari Hak Asasi Manusia,” J. Ham, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019.

[8] J. Pejic, “Minority rights in international law,” Hum. Rights Q., vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 666–685, 1997.

[9] F. Capotorti, “Study on the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities,” (No Title), 1991.

[10] B. De Villiers, “Language, cultural and religious minorities: what and who are they?,” Univ. West. Aust. Law Rev., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 92–114, 2012.

[11] P. Thornberry, International law and the rights of minorities. Oxford University Press, 1991.

[12] I. Dhahri, “The Role of International Human Rights Norms in Combating Discrimination and Promoting Equality,” Easta J. Law Hum. Rights, vol. 1, no. 03, pp. 137–146, 2023.

[13] M. Krennerich, “State Domestic Human Rights Politics: The Implementation of Human Rights at Home,” in Human Rights Politics: An introduction, Springer, 2024, pp. 51–77.

[14] V. B. Kovalchuk, I. M. Zharovska, B. B. Melnychenko, B. I. Gutiv, and I. O. Panchuk, “Human rights and positive obligations of the state,” Вісник Національної академії правових наук України, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 27–35, 2021.

[15] N. P. K. W. Lestari, I. M. ASTUTY, M. Risnain, and A. R. Amalia, “IMPLEMENTASI PERPRES 602023 TENTANG BISNIS DAN HAM DI NTB BERDASARKAN PRINSIP UNGPS,” Mataram J. Int. Law, vol. 3, no. 1, 2025.

[16] K. Hadji, D. Angelica, E. L. Nisfah, E. S. Maharani, H. A. Nayla, and C. Oktaviana, “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Hak Asasi Manusia Dalam Hukum Tata Negara,” ALADALAH J. Polit. Sos. Huk. dan Hum., vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 25–33, 2024.

[17] A. Sumodiningrat and J. A. Nabila, “Against Discrimination: Reviewing Papuan Ethnic from Human Rights Perspective,” J. Contemp. Sociol. Issues, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 116–135, 2022.

[18] M. R. Musaddad, A. Muslim, H. Mutawalli, M. Wiratama, M. A. A. Rahman, and L. Hidayat, “Penegakkan Hukum terhadap Pelanggaran HAM di Papua: Diskriminasi Etnis,” Mandub J. Polit. Sos. Huk. dan Hum., vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 68–79, 2024.

[19] А. М. Фарукшин, “Швейцарский федерализм и защита прав меньшинств,” Ученые записки Казанского университета. Серия Гуманитарные науки, vol. 147, no. 1, pp. 81–87, 2005.

[20] R. N. Abdurakhman, “Legal Challenges in Protecting Minority Rights in a Plural Society,” J. Law Soc. Polit., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–11, 2025.

[21] E. Susanto, B. Santoso, and D. J. Setiyono, “The Role and Authority of Komnas Ham in Handling, Violation and Protection of Human Rights,” Viol. Prot. Hum. Rights (Juni 05, 2022), 2022.

[22] A. Khanif, “Challenges in protecting religious minorities in Indonesia,” Marginalisation Hum. Rights Southeast Asia, pp. 87–101, 2022.

[23] M. Muhammad, “Stripped of Rights: The Battle for Justice and Legal Certainty for Stateless Persons in Indonesia,” Indones. J. Advocacy Leg. Serv., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 133–168, 2024.

[24] P. F. M. SYAFRUDIN, D. D. A. N. D. K. F. SYARI, A. L. I. P. PUTRA, and D. R. H. A. BAHIEJ, “ANALISIS TERHADAP HAPUSNYA PENUNTUTAN DALAM”.

[25] M. Muktiono, “Mengkaji politik hukum kebebasan beragama dan berkeyakinan di Indonesia,” J. Din. Huk., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 344–357, 2012.

[26] N. S. Putri, “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Kelompok Agama Minoritas dalam Hukum Pidana Indonesia,” Verit. Justitia, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 155–179, 2018.

[27] R. Mirsel, “Kebebasan Beragama di Indonesia dalam Perspektif Hak Asasi Manusia,” J. Ledalero, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 51–69, 2022.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

Analysis of Article 28I Paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution on the Protection of Minority Rights and the Principle of Non-Discrimination in the Indonesian Legal System (Y. Priyana & S. Sopian , Trans.). (2025). West Science Law and Human Rights, 3(03), 297-304. https://doi.org/10.58812/wslhr.v3i03.2061